Continuing our coverage for IEM Rio, Groups A and B are slowly progressing towards a close. Accordingly, the competition continues today with multiple exciting matches as part of the IEM Rio 2023 Group Stage. In this betting insights article, we’ll preview the following matches:

• FaZe Clan vs FURIA Esports
• Ninjas in Pyjamas vs 9INE
• OG vs Cloud9

IEM Rio 2023 Group Stage Semifinal Bracket Betting Preview

With $250,000 on the line, IEM Rio as hosted by ESL is an S-Tier event featuring the top 16 CSGO teams in the world.

Moreover, hosted at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio, Brazil, the event kicked off yesterday April 17th, to conclude later this week on Sunday, April 23rd – find out more about this event in our dedicated IEM Rio 2023 betting preview.

The first stage of the competition involves a Group Stage, with four groups of four teams each. Within each group, a double elimination format group will be taking place, with BO1 opening matches followed by BO3 matches.

Bearing this in mind, and that only the top 3 teams progress from each group, here are some specific matches to consider for CSGO betting as scheduled below:

18th April – Group A Lower Bracket Semifinal

• Ninjas in Pyjamas vs 9INE (19:30 CEST)

17th April – Group B Upper Bracket Semifinals

• FaZe Clan vs FURIA Esports (19:30 CEST)
• OG vs Cloud9 (23:00 CEST)

For this particular IEM Rio 2023 Group Stage betting preview, we’ll be using betting odds as provided by Thunderpick. Apart from being a well-respected esports betting platform with a unique take on cryptocurrency betting, there’s more.

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Ninjas in Pyjamas vs 9INE – Lower Bracket Semifinal

First up is our Group A match-up which has two teams fighting to avoid elimination and trying to clench a qualification seed to the next stage.

Falling into the Lower Bracket for both teams has involved losses to the likes of some of the best CSGO teams in Europe, Heroic and Natus Vincere.

Despite the fact that NiP were swept aside by Na’Vi, the odds favour them considering their stronger roster especially compared to 9INE. A win for 9INE here would certainly be an upset, but not a complete surprise for this organization.

• Predictions: Ninjas in Pyjamas (2-1) 9INE
• Odds: Ninjas in Pyjamas Outright Win (1.78), 9INE Outright Win (1.92)
• Betting Site: Thunderpick

FaZe Clan vs FURIA Esports – Upper Bracket Semifinal

In their past two matches, we favoured both FaZe and FURIA their respective matches, both succeeding. it’s here that the odds and CSGO betting sites favour the likes of FaZe Clan in a massive way.

Moreover, while FaZe destroyed 9z Team in the Quarterfinals, FURIA Esports fought for their lives against Fnatic in a nail-biting 19-15 scoreline. Considering this struggle, FaZe Clan are the strong favourites in this match-up.

Who knows – maybe the home-crowd advantage gives FURIA a fighting chance?

• Predictions: FURIA Esports (0-2) FaZe Clan
• Odds: FURIA Esports Outright Win (2.80), FaZe Clan Outright Win (1.38)
• Betting Site: Thunderpick

OG vs Cloud9 – Upper Bracket Semifinal

On the other side of the Group B Upper Bracket is a highly anticipated match between the likes of OG and Cloud9.

Heading into this match, Cloud9 were one of the favourites to win the entire event and so far, have proved their worth so far at this event.

Meanwhile, OG did struggle to close down their tough series against Team Vitality which was already a surprise to begin with. While it’s unlikely, OG definitely have a chance to make this interesting like in their previous match.

• Predictions: OG (0-2) Cloud9
• CSGO Odds: OG Outright Win (2.90), Cloud9 Outright Win (1.35)
• Betting Site: Thunderpick